‘Covert Operation’ Juicy Pale Ale

The Molloy Group, the family-owned chain of pubs and off-licences in Dublin, are this year celebrating 85 years of trading and to mark the occasion, have joined forces with one of Ireland’s leading breweries to create a very special beer.

The origins of the Molloy Group go back to 1933, when Martin Molloy purchased The Foxes Covert Pub & Grocery Merchants in Tallaght Vilage. The pub was attached to a small grocery shop & the old ticket office for the Dublin & Blessington Steam Tram Company which had made it’s final journey through Tallaght Village the previous year.The fox logo became synonymous with the Molloy name from that day and lives on today.

His son, Kevin Molloy, then started expanding the business in 1965 and opened the first Molloy’s Liquor Store in Tallaght. This was at a time where there were very few outlets to purchase alcohol to take home, therefore, this was one of the first real off-licences in Ireland. This took off during the 1980s with a shift towards more people enjoying alcohol at home, and led to the opening of more liquor stores across Dublin, where in 2018 now stands 7 off-licences and 2 pubs.

Now a 3rd generation business, Richard Molloy is making waves of his own, by ambitiously tailoring the stores to meet the demands of the modern day consumer. Not only can you find an incredible selection of wine and spirits from around the World, but also a treasure trove of craft beer.

“The growth of craft beer has been incredible over the last 10 years” says Richard Molloy. “It provides customers with so much variety of flavours and styles of beer, compared to what was previously available. The options available are becoming as diverse as wine.”

“The growth of craft beer is also brilliant because it is creating a thriving industry in Ireland with small breweries opening all over Ireland. Now our customers can support Irish business’ by buying the many quality Irish beers available.”

“When I was looking to find a brewery to brew a beer with for our 85th Anniversary, YellowBelly were top of my list, and thankfully they were up for it! They are probably the coolest brewery in Ireland at the moment. Not only do they create amazing beers, but the artwork on their cans and the story behind each brew adds so much extra value to every beer they produce. They are setting the standard for everyone to follow.”

YellowBelly Beer worked with Richard Molloy to create this anniversary ale named Covert Operation, a 5% ABV pale ale. The mission was to create a juicy, easy-drinking Pale Ale and Head Brewer Declan Nixon rose to the challenge. The malt bill is kept light and clean, giving a solid base for the Mosaic and Azacca hops to shine. Aroma’s of pineapple, blood orange and mango leap out of the glass, backed up by flavours of lemon peel, grapefruit and even more pineapple. The finish is low on bitterness and super clean, enhancing the beers sessionability.

The label features YellowBelly, the 3 generations of the Molloy family and the Crafty Fox who will lead them on a Covert Operation to bring superior craft beer to the masses.

It was hard keeping this ‘Covert Operation’ under wraps, but now that it’s cover has been blown, you can find it in all 7 Molloys Liquor Stores around Dublin. And it is available to buy online at www.molloys.ie.